Thomas geeitt



(No Model.)

T. GERITT.

GAR COUPLING. No. 800,245 PatentedJune 10, 1884.

UNITED Sra'rns Parent @rrrnn.

THOMAS GERITT, OF KENOSHA, WISGONSIN.

CAR-CQUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,245, dated June 10, 1884.

Application filed April 30, 1884.

T 0 (LZZ whom, it may concern.-

IBe it known that I, THOMAS GERITT, of Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Gar-Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic car-couplings; and it consists, first, in the combination of the drawhcad, the coupling-pin, a suitable frame or block upon the top of the draw-head, and a cam by means of which the pin can be locked in a raised position when it is desired that the cars shall couple; second, in the combination of the draw-head, a spring-actuated sliding block, coupling-pin, and a cam to hold the pin in a raised position when the cars are not to couple together, all of which will be more fully de scribed hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide an automatic car-coupling with a means for holding the pin in a raised position, so that the cars cannot couple when they run together, but which device will hold the pin in such a manner that it can be quickly released at any time, so that the couplings will resume their automatic action. 4 v

Figure l is a plan view of a car'coupling embodying my invention, partly in section. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same.

A represents the drawhead; B, the sliding block, which is provided with suitable guides upon both top and bottom, to catch in grooves in the draw-head; C, the spring by which the slide is moved, and D the coupling-pin.

Upon the top of the front end of the drawhcad is placed a suitable block or frame, E, which serves both as a guide or means to hold the coupling-pin in a vertical position and as a means for pivoting the lockingcam F in place. lVhcn the coupling-pin is raised upward, the spring forces the block outward to its full extent, so that the front end of the block serves as a support for the couplingpin in order to hold it in a raised position ready to couple when the ears run together. When the coupling-link enters the draw-head and strikes the front end of this spring-actu- (No model.)

ated block, it forces the block forward in the draw-head, and the pin at once drops and couples the cars together.

In automatic couplings the trouble has been to keep the pins from dropping through when the cars run together, especially when the link is left in one of the draw-heads. In order to dispense with this trouble, and to enable the link to be kept in place, and yet not couple the cars when they run together, the locking-cam F is provided. This cam, when swung around in one position, does not come in contact with the side of the pin, and hence the pin is left free to drop at anytime; but when moved around so that the handle extends nearly in a line with the draw-head the pin is locked in position, so that it cannot move. Should the couplinglink then enter this head, it will simply force the block back; but as the pin cannot drop, it will have no further effect upon it. When it is desired that the couplings shall again act automatically, it is only necessary to release the pin from the cam.

Extending across the end of the car, above the coupling, is the partially -revolving rod or shaft X, which has a handle, Y, formed on each of its ends, and by means of which the shaft can be turned by a person on either side of the car, without having to step in between the cars. Projecting from the center of this rod or shaft is an arm or lever, Z, which is connected to the upper end of the coupling by the chain V. hen the rod is turned, the pin is raised upward, so as to couple the cars or to set the pin ready to couple.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination, in an automatic coupling, of the pin with a cam for locking the pin in a raised position, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the draw-head, the spring-actuated block, the coupling-pin, the cam for locking the pin in a raised position, and the block or frame upon the top of the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiflx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS GERITT.

\Vitnesses: Tnos. W. Bonn, JOHN McNUL'rY. 

